I did it!! I finished my day one journal entry for Shimelles Journal Your Christmas!! I had so much fun and can see how this will really help me to keep my focus on Christ this season!! I might even have the kids do the prompts each day....it may be a new family tradition!! Here is my layout!


The journaling reads.....

Beginning today December 1 2008 I am taking back my Christmas. I promise to journal something everyday and think about the true meaning of Christmas. I will ponder Christmas’s that have passed, Christmas in the present and also my hope for Christmas’s in the future.

It is my hope that by doing this I will keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas. That my heart will be kept in awe of Gods grace to us as he sent His only son to be born for us so that we may be saved.

My journal will help me to redeem our Holiday season for myself and my family. Helping our eyes, ears, hands and hearts to be engaged in the promise and excitement this time of year should bring.

Last year I had very good intentions of doing the daily prompts and journaling my Christmas but it just never happened...this year I am determined to get my thoughts and ideas down on paper and put together an album!! If you would like to join here is the link
www.shimelle.com/classes/389/journal-your-christmas.
Emails begin Dec. 1!!

Last year I joined in with Shimelle to journal my Christmas....I saved all the prompts last year but never got to do it...this year is different!! I am determined to make time to do the daily prompts and put together an album...and I can't wait!! Check it out and join in the Holiday fun

www.shimelle.com/classes/389/journal-your-christmas.

The emails begin on dec 1!

I have been wanting to join the Gratitude Community over at Ann's blog Holy Experience. I have said it, thought about it but just never took the time to do it. I love the idea of keeping a running list of those things we are so thankful for. So today I begin but right now I am not seeing these things as items just to be thankful for but as gifts straight from Gods hands.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Since Brian's accident my view on life has shifted......in a way that allows me to see Gods hand more clearly then before. It is hard to explain but even the most mundane things seem a gift from Him. But isn't everything here on earth a gift from Him? And how sad that I knew that before but did not really act like it before.
I am purposing now to enjoy every gift He has given me....and to give THANKS!!

A few precious gifts I am opening today...... (not going to # them as I know the list is endless!)

Your word Lord which feeds me so well

My hand on my husbands chest as he sleeps....the comfort of it's rise and fall

the joy of knowing you hold his heart in your hand and he is yours

a beautiful view outside my window the ground covered in a dusting of white

warmth and glow from the wood stove in the early morning light


sleepy tousled headed children curling next to me

the promise of a new day to glorify you, praise you and learn more of your grace and mercy......

What gifts are you opening today???

God has given us a word to meditate on this holiday season.....Peace. Now I need to tell a story and from the outside looking in it does not seem peaceful at all. In fact it seems anything but peaceful. But this is what God has given me at this time of crazyness in our lives.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Never have I seen the hand of God so clearly.....my husband has been called a walking miracle this week. He was shot twice, in the forearm and in the neck. The story of how it happened pales in light of how God has used it for His glory. God revealed himself very clearly to my husband through this whole ordeal and my heart is over flowing with every emotion imaginable .....I can not even explain it. I have been praying for him for 14 years.......those of you close to me know how I have cried out to God asking him why he had not showed himself to Brian yet! 14 years is a long time....I must admit to you of my doubting heart.....
The doctors say it is only by the grace of God that he is here.....the bullet actually hit his spine and broke a piece of the bone off....it took him almost a day to make it to the hospital...there are so many little things that God clearly did to protect him...he will heal fully and be fine with no long term effects. They say that he should be dead or at least crippled....but he is not and the hand of our God protected him and it is evident to all!!
God took what Satan meant for evil and used it for His glory!!
I am in awe of our God....that he loves even me and my doubting heart.....he heard my prayers and is not only healing my husbands body but has healed his broken heart...

Behold, I make all things new. Revelation 21:5

I praise God for His grace and His mercy on us....

Everything is so precious now and my perspective on life is changed forever. We have felt the very breathe of God on us and nothing will ever be the same....

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

May His peace be yours through these Holidays and always!!

Alisa

Yes, I am in!!! I have taken all of Jessicas classes and have learned so much...so I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve for this one!!! And it is free!!! So be sure to sign up and join in the fun!!

I have been busy making cards and acordian albums..but I took no pics before I brought them to the store..sorry! I hope to do some layouts later today and get them uploaded to share!

I have really enjoyed and used all the resources the Carrier Family has put out, so if you have not heard of them you must check out there books. But also leave a comment to be added in to a great give away they are having!! Here are the books

• "The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision" Vision Forum 2-CD set by Doug Phillips (listened to once or twice, still in fine condition from what I can tell)
  
• 3 gently used books by Emilie Barnes: "The Creative Home Organizer," "More Hours in my Day," and "15 Minute Home and Family Organizer."
• 3 like-new books by Elizabeth George: "Life Management for BusyWomen," "A Woman after God's Own Heart," and "Beautiful in God's Eyes"
• New (with some shelf dust) "Mom" Bible study: "Finding Joy in All You Are" by Jean Syswerda, AND
• Some NEW resources from Doorposts: The Blessings Chart, The Brother-Offended Checklist, "Go to the Ant" chart, and a gently used "Checklist for Parents: Questions and Scripture for Self-Examination

What a great collection....I'm running over there right now to enter into the drawing!! Good Luck!! Here is the link Values Driven Family